Hey Derek,
My name is Brandon Braun, I have a question about double bass control.
I reached 16ths at 210 about a week and a half ago, I was sort of shocked because i don't spend as much time on double bass as I do on latin and jazz. I have the problem of starting up, creating enough force to start right up, maybe not right at 210 but maybe 180 or 190 until I really get comfortable with 210. It takes me about a measure until everything locks right into place, any suggestions?

Oh yeah, the transitions.
That's the hardest thing about DB playing. Coming in....full force, in tempo and strong.
It's a balance issue....use your left foot as much as possible. If you can execute with your left....you should be using it, if you want to play DB.
There's no secret to it.....just takes time. At least you're aware of it.
If you're aware....you can correct.

D. check it out. Hudson wont have the book until the end of Dec. Amazon... no luck either. Music sumthin or other also don't got it. Hot man, very hot. Either that or it ain't been released by the publisher. Well... I guess I'll just have to wait then. Even though I don't play dmetal nor have an interest too, your tutorial quickies on youtube have inspired me and I'll look forward to the book/cd... whenever that might be... hope i live that long...

D. check it out. Hudson wont have the book until the end of Dec. Amazon... no luck either. Music sumthin or other also don't got it. Hot man, very hot. Either that or it ain't been released by the publisher. Well... I guess I'll just have to wait then. Even though I don't play dmetal nor have an interest too, your tutorial quickies on youtube have inspired me and I'll look forward to the book/cd... whenever that might be... hope i live that long...

Haha...yeah, it's out but, I believe Hudson had to re-order more. They're selling really good.
Try Guitar center.... if you have one around. They stock them.

Thanks a bunch for the kind words....hope I can continue to inspire you.

Hey Derek, have you ever thought of entering the WFD competition? I think you'd do pretty well in the battle of the feet and hands.

At the very beginning of the WFD, I had expressed interest in doing events in my local shop. After I did a few and realized what the kids (who were participating in it) were getting out of it.......I decidied it wasn't for me to promote.

Not my thing.

Yes, I'm fast and all that....but, I believe.... being fast means nothing without music to back it up.
Otherwise, it's just notes on a pad.

At the very beginning of the WFD, I had expressed interest in doing events in my local shop. After I did a few and realized what the kids (who were participating in it) were getting out of it.......I decidied it wasn't for me to promote.

Not my thing.

Yes, I'm fast and all that....but, I believe.... being fast means nothing without music to back it up.
Otherwise, it's just notes on a pad.

Cheers,
D.

i know what you mean. I was just curious. When I first started playin drums i just wanted to be fast, now I'm mostly all about playing the best drums I can to the music, wether its fast or not. But i had a couple other questions.

First one is, what music do you generally like to listen to most?

And my other question was, can you still play heel-up on the Axis Longboard pedals or are they mainly for heel-toe? I was curious about getting them, but i dont know how to play heel-toe or the heel-up/heel-down type technique. So my question is, can you use the heel-up technique on Axis Longboards or only heel-toe?

hi derek. you are killer drum!! I saw this flat foot technique that you are promoting (powerfull). I just wana ask you do you use it when you play double stroke with your feet or is it heal toe then;););)

This makes the entire surface of my foot, hit the ground at the same time (Flat footed).
Now, when you apply that to a pedal (DB pedals have an angle) the motion doesn't change....making the stroke on the pedal...heel up.
Because, the heel of your foot to the bridge of your foot, and then the angle back from the pedalboard....makes a triangle...with your heel off the ground.
All in all...every stroke I play is heel up but, playing from the hip.
I'll take a picture later with my foot on the pedal so you see what I mean.... if it's not clear.

This makes the entire surface of my foot, hit the ground at the same time (Flat footed).
Now, when you apply that to a pedal (DB pedals have an angle) the motion doesn't change....making the stroke on the pedal...heel up.
Because, the heel of your foot to the bridge of your foot, and then the angle back from the pedalboard....makes a triangle...with your heel off the ground.
All in all...every stroke I play is heel up but, playing from the hip.
I'll take a picture later with my foot on the pedal so you see what I mean.... if it's not clear.

Cheers,
D.

Thanx derek..hmm....Im impresed that you are trying to get away from triggers:) This sounds powerfull. I play heel toe.. I would like to see pictures of this "definition" ;) if it's not a problem. Btw.I watched george kolias clinic and he is talking how he uses different technique for each foot (for balace). Is this wrong???;)

He has taken his time to help us drummers. His advice is awesome and I've incorporated some of his suggestions into my practice routine (going 2 hits from the bd to the hat and back, then doing para diddles off the two that he mentions in an earlier post).

We're damn lucky to have such a brilliant drummer offering his pearls of wisdom. It can only make those of us reading better.

Anyway, Derek doesn't have to do that, doesn't even have to post, but he does and I want to thank him for it.

I will also keep an eye and ear out for anything he does not just because I value his talent and knowledge, but because he seems like an a-ok dude.

He has taken his time to help us drummers. His advice is awesome and I've incorporated some of his suggestions into my practice routine (going 2 hits from the bd to the hat and back, then doing para diddles off the two that he mentions in an earlier post).

We're damn lucky to have such a brilliant drummer offering his pearls of wisdom. It can only make those of us reading better.

Anyway, Derek doesn't have to do that, doesn't even have to post, but he does and I want to thank him for it.

I will also keep an eye and ear out for anything he does not just because I value his talent and knowledge, but because he seems like an a-ok dude.

Thanks man.....I appreciate that comment.

I think that was a big part of what Bernard wanted to create here. I'm happy to be here and also happy to help out fellow drummers.
I live for that.

Hey Derek,
I was curious, will you ever do a clinic tour anytime soon (preferebly the south)? I really would love to see you in clinic. The fact is, you are one of my favorite drummers and seeing an Extreme metal drummer in clinic down here in NC could kick alot of our asses. Thanks!

Hey Derek,
I was curious, will you ever do a clinic tour anytime soon (preferebly the south)? I really would love to see you in clinic. The fact is, you are one of my favorite drummers and seeing an Extreme metal drummer in clinic down here in NC could kick alot of our asses. Thanks!

-Connor

Thanks for the props there Connor.
What shop (Town) you near? I'll try to work something out.

I think that was a big part of what Bernard wanted to create here. I'm happy to be here and also happy to help out fellow drummers.
I live for that.

Cheers and thanks again,
D.

No problem Derek. I had a chance to 'meet' a drummer I really admire and he was not a cool guy. I still love his drumming, but I don't respect him as a person at all, total dud. So when you do meet someone who is cool (even online) that goes a long way. I met David Ellefson (bass) of Megadeth back in the late 80s (Norfolk, Va Boathouse) and he was such a cool guy, you never forget the people who do it right.

I was just wondering what cymbal brands you have used in the past? I know you use Meinl now but I've seen a video with you wearing a Paiste t-shirt. I've also seen a picture of you using Sabian HHXs. If you did change brands, what was the reason?
Thanks :)

Well, I'm a fan of gear. So, I have all types of cymbals.
Meinl is the first "real endorsement" I've had with a cymbal company. I love their product and if I the luxury of picking any brand...it would be Meinl anyway.

That said, I own a set of Paiste, Zildjian and Sabian.

The Zildjian's....I bought 15 years ago when I was working at a local music store. Employee discount baby!!!!
I had a friend at Paiste that gave me "artist discount" while I was with Hate Eternal. He was fired (there went my discount)..... and another friend had just gotten a gig with Sabian.....so he gave me an "artist discount" while he was there.

Well, I'm a fan of gear. So, I have all types of cymbals.
Meinl is the first "real endorsement" I've had with a cymbal company. I love their product and if I the luxury of picking any brand...it would be Meinl anyway.

That said, I own a set of Paiste, Zildjian and Sabian.

The Zildjian's....I bought 15 years ago when I was working at a local music store. Employee discount baby!!!!
I had a friend at Paiste that gave me "artist discount" while I was with Hate Eternal. He was fired (there went my discount)..... and another friend had just gotten a gig with Sabian.....so he gave me an "artist discount" while he was there.

Haven't ever really thought about it.
I've been using the same Axis pedals for 18 years! Haha.
Haven't ever had the need to change..... the Axis works very well for me.

D.

18 years? My school has some drums which have been played for years but most of the drums are broken and they sound bad.

Derek, can you tell me what kit did you use when you first started? Because I don't have a kit and I have to practice in the school and the piano stores but their drums are quite crappy. It's impossible to get a drum set for me. What can I do? Is it very important to get a drumset for drummers? Or can I practice through air drumming ?

My very first kit was a Sears and Roebuck set. All plastic...for the most part.
I tore that thing up in a matter of days and my dad took me to buy a real set of drums......ROYCE!!!!!!! Haha. I was 4 or 5 years old at the time.
I played those for a few years....got pretty good and my dad bought me a Rodgers 7 pc maple kit when I was about 9 or 10. Played that until I could buy my own kit.....which was a Ludwig double bass kit. I was maybe 15 at the time.

Just remember that good players can make Bad set sound really good.
Your gear doesn't matter so much if you have "the touch".
And, getting that touch requires listening to a lot of different music. So, you become familiar with different textures and dynamics.
Yes, air drumming helps... but also, playing drums in your head also helps a lot. I'd say that close to 40% of my practicing in my life has been away from a kit. Just figuring out drum parts and music....in my head.Thinking about playing can make you better as well.....as long as you have the mechanical part going too.
Hope it helps.

And, getting that touch requires listening to a lot of different music. So, you become familiar with different textures and dynamics.
Yes, air drumming helps... but also, playing drums in your head also helps a lot. I'd say that close to 40% of my practicing in my life has been away from a kit. Just figuring out drum parts and music....in my head.Thinking about playing can make you better as well.....as long as you have the mechanical part going too.
Hope it helps.

Cheers,
D.

This is oh so true. I am reminded of the experiment done with basketball players shooting free throws.

There were 3 test groups of equal ability.

One group practice free throws for a week.

One group was instructed to 'think about' and to visualize shooting free throws for a week

One group didn't practice or think about free throws

The results were...those who had done nothing score much worse. Those who actually practiced scored best, but those who didn't practice but still thought about their free throws scored nearly as well as those who did practice.

My very first kit was a Sears and Roebuck set. All plastic...for the most part.
I tore that thing up in a matter of days and my dad took me to buy a real set of drums......ROYCE!!!!!!! Haha. I was 4 or 5 years old at the time.
I played those for a few years....got pretty good and my dad bought me a Rodgers 7 pc maple kit when I was about 9 or 10. Played that until I could buy my own kit.....which was a Ludwig double bass kit. I was maybe 15 at the time.

Just remember that good players can make Bad set sound really good.
Your gear doesn't matter so much if you have "the touch".
And, getting that touch requires listening to a lot of different music. So, you become familiar with different textures and dynamics.
Yes, air drumming helps... but also, playing drums in your head also helps a lot. I'd say that close to 40% of my practicing in my life has been away from a kit. Just figuring out drum parts and music....in my head.Thinking about playing can make you better as well.....as long as you have the mechanical part going too.
Hope it helps.

Hey Derek. I have been doing your endurance and coordination (the ten minute ones) exercices for 2 months with great results. Would you recommend them for developing speed in addition to endurance, or are there some other exercices you would recommend gaining for speed. I am content with where my hands are, but I would like to get my feet on par. I do realize foot speed comes gradually over time. Would you consider going from 130bpm to 150bpm (for 2mins+) in 3 months good progress? Time isn't an issue, I practice 4-8hrs a day normally. I know you are so much more then a double bass guy, but who better to ask? =) Thanks for your time.

*Edit* I'll leave the question up if you would like to respond to it. I did some research and I think all answers I have and more are in your book. I honestly think more than anything I'm struggling with balance and need to develop more muscles and control in my lower back and hips. Time to pony up some cash and get the book.

Last edited by Isaac Lee; 02-18-2009 at 07:50 PM.
Reason: Question is addressed in Derek book.